Mechanical method and apparatus for sequential tissue fastening

ABSTRACT

A mechanical system for rotatably, sequentially securing opposing sides of a tissue wound with a fastener. An applicator apparatus is capable of imparting rotatable motion to a falcate tissue penetrator that sequentially pierces and carries a fastener into a first side and a second side of the tissue wound. The first side and second side of tissue can be simultaneously captured and positioned with respect to a tissue definition member or alternatively, the first tissue side and second tissue side can be individually, sequentially captured and positioned relative to the tissue definition member. The applicator apparatus can comprise a single fastener for small tissue wounds or resections or alternatively, the applicator can comprise a plurality of staged fasteners for use in closing a larger wounds or wounds with increased tension.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 11/487,951 filedJul. 17, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,100,939 which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/699,460 filed Jul. 15, 2005, each ofwhich is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of surgicalinstruments such as surgical staplers, clip applicators and suturelessclosure devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to amechanical method and apparatus for fastening tissue by rotatably,sequentially securing opposed sides of a tissue wound.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When an opening in tissue is created either through an intentionalincision or an accidental wound or laceration, biological healing of theopening commences through the proximity of the opposed living tissuesurfaces. If the opening is very large or if its location subjects thewound to continual movement, a physician will seek to forcibly hold thesides of the opening in close proximity so as to promote the healingprocess.

In the case of skin tissue, for example, healing occurs best when theopposing dermal layers of the skin tissue are held in proximity witheach other. Human skin tissue is comprised of three distinct layers oftissue. The epidermal layer, also known as the epidermis, is theoutermost layer and includes non-living tissue cells. The dermal layer,or dermis, is the middle layer directly below the epidermal layer andcomprises the living tissue of the skin that is the strongest of thethree layers. The subcutaneous, or hypodermis layer is the bottom layerof skin tissue and includes less connective tissue making this theweakest layer of skin tissue.

The most prevalent method for forcibly closing a tissue opening isthrough the use of a suture or “stitches.” As early as the secondcentury, the Greeks were using sutures to physically close skinopenings. In its simplest form, a suture is simply a length of materialthat is attached to a tissue-piercing device, such as a needle, andlooped through the opposing sides of an opening. The suture is thenpulled tight and the loop closes causing the opposing sides of thetissue to come into close physical proximity. The suture loop is heldtight by the tying of a knot or some other locking mechanism. The firstsutures were made of animal gut. Eventually other natural suturematerials including leather, horsehair, flax, cotton and silk came intouse.

As the sciences of medical and materials technology have advanced overthe course of the past century, new bioabsorbable materials have beendeveloped to further improve upon the basic suturing concept. Examplesof more recent improvements to the suturing process include enhancementsto the suturing apparatus as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.2,439,383, 2,959,172 and 3,344,790, as well as advances in sutures andsuture materials as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,123,077,3,297,033, 3,636,956, 3,792,010 4,027,676 and 4,047,533.

While traditional suturing remains a popular method of effectuatingclosure of skin openings, the use of staples and staplers as a skinclosure technique has become increasingly popular, especially insurgical settings where the opening is created through a purposefulincision. In these settings, the incision tends to make a clean,straight cut with the opposing sides of the incision having consistentand non-jagged surfaces. Typically, stapling of a skin opening, forexample, is accomplished by manually approximating the opposing sides ofthe skin opening and then positioning the stapler so that a staple willspan the opening. The stapler is then manipulated such that the stapleis driven into the skin with one leg being driven into each side of theskin and the cross-member of the staple extending across the openingexternal to the skin surface. Generally, the legs of the staple aredriven into an anvil causing the staple to deform so as to retain theskin tissue in a compressed manner within the staple. This process canbe repeated along the length of the opening such that the entireincision is held closed during the healing process.

Much work has been devoted to improving upon the basic stapling process.Developments have gone in a variety of directions and include workdevoted to the stapling apparatus as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,082,426, 3,643,851, 4,410,125, 4,493,322, 4,592,498, 4,618,086,4,776,506, 4,915,100, 5,044,540, 5,129,570, 5,285,944, 5,392,979,5,489,058, 5,551,622, 5,662,258, 5,794,834, 5,816,471, 6,131,789 and6,250,532. In addition to the stapling apparatus, developments have alsobeen made in the staple design as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.2,351,608, 2,526,902, 2,881,762, 3,757,629, 4,014,492, 4,261,244,4,317,451, 4,407,286, 4,428,376, 4,485,816, 4,505,273, 4,526,174,4,570,623, 4,719,917, 4,741,337, 5,007,921, 5,158,567, 5,258,009,5,297,714, 5,324,307, 5,413,584, 5,505,363 and 5,571,285.

While suturing and stapling techniques continue to provide an effectivemanner of effectuating skin closure, there remains a series of inherentdisadvantages in using either of these techniques. The standardtechnique for both suturing and stapling includes puncturing both theepidermis and dermis. This can result in a wound closure causing patientdiscomfort and having an unaesthetically pleasing appearance on thesurface of the skin. The presence of the fastener exposed through theskin surface provides an opportunity for infection and for accidentallycatching the fastener and tearing the wound open. In the case ofnon-absorbable fasteners, further action by a medical professional isnecessary in order to remove the fastener once biological healing iscomplete.

In order to overcome these limitations, practitioners have developed anumber of specialized suturing techniques where the suture is passedonly through the dermis effectively positioning the suture below theskin surface, or in a subcuticular fashion. A surgeon has the choice ofplacing individual or interrupted sutures along the length of anopening. Another suturing option is for the surgeon to use a singlestrand of suture material to place a plurality of continuing sutureloops or running sutures along the length of an opening. While thepresence of the suture below the surface can improve the aestheticnature of the closure, it requires greater skill and technique toaccomplish effectively and takes longer than conventional externalsuturing.

While there has been active development of dermal layer suturingtechniques, little has been done in the area of staples and staplers foruse in connection with the dermal layer. In a series of patents issuedto Green et al., including U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,292,326, 5,389,102,5,489,287 and 5,573,541, a subcuticular stapling method and apparatusare disclosed that were ultimately commercialized as the U.S. SurgicalSQS Subcuticular Stapling Apparatus. The Green et al. patents describe astapling technique employing a handheld apparatus with jaws toproximate, interdigitate and overlap opposing sides of dermal layertissue along the length of a skin opening. The apparatus then drives asingle spike through the interdigitated and overlapped dermal layers ofthe opposing skin surfaces in order to secure both sides of the dermaltissue on the single spike. Although this technique reduced the timerequired to effectuate a subcuticular skin closure, the SQS device wasnot commercially successful in part because it was difficult to achievea secure uniform closure and the resulting closure produced anundesirable wave-like closure with gaps that sometimes did not healeffectively.

A novel approach to fastening dermal tissue using bioabsorbablefasteners is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,726,705, as wellas in U.S. Publ. Nos. US2003-0236551 A1, US2004-0059377 A1 andUS2004-0059378 A1 to Peterson et al, all of which are commonly assignedto the assignee of the present application and all of which areincorporated by reference in their entirety. In one embodiment, thisapproach to tissue fastening utilizes a first apparatus to manipulateopposed sides of tissue to form target tissue zones followed by a secondapparatus that effects a simultaneous bilateral insertion of a tissuefastener to retain opposed dermal layers across an incision or wound inclose approximation to facilitate healing. By maintaining contact of thedermal layers through the healing process, the healing process isenhanced which results in less chance of infection, faster recovery andimproved aesthetic appearance. In addition, no subsequent medicalfollow-up is necessary to remove fasteners as is typically necessarywith non-absorbable fasteners.

While the tissue fastening methods and apparatus taught by Peterson etal. provide many advantages, there are opportunities to improve upon theprinciples taught by Peterson et al. with respect to tissue fasteningapplications. For example, it would be desirable to provide for afastening apparatus providing for increased simplicity in manufacturingand implementation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a mechanical system for rotatably, sequentiallysecuring opposed sides of a tissue wound. An applicator apparatusincludes an insertion head portion positioned proximate a tissue wound.Utilizing a tissue manipulator, a first side of tissue is positionedwithin a first receiving portion on the insertion head. A rotatabledrive mechanism rotatably inserts a first cleat portion of a fastenerthrough a portion of the first side of tissue. The tissue manipulatorreleases the first side of tissue and manipulates a second side oftissue such that it is positioned within a second receiving portion onthe insertion head. The rotatable drive mechanism rotatably inserts thefirst cleat portion of the fastener though a portion of the second sideof tissue while substantially simultaneously capturing the first side oftissue with a trailing second cleat portion of the fastener. Followingcapture of the both the first and second tissue sides with the fastener,the rotatable drive mechanism is reversibly rotated such that theinsertion head can be removed from the tissue wound while the fastenerretainably approximates the first and second tissue sides so asaccomplish the wound closure.

In one aspect, the present application is directed to an apparatus forsequentially, rotatably inserting a fastener into the dermal layer onopposed sides of a tissue wound.

In another aspect, the present application is directed to a fasteneradapted for rotatable insertion into the dermal layer of opposed sidesof a tissue wound.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to methods forclosing tissue wounds through rotatable, sequentially positioning of atissue fastener across the tissue wound.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a laproscopictissue fastening device for joining tissue wounds through rotatable,sequential positioning of a laproscopic tissue fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative tissue opening in askin surface.

FIG. 2 is a section view of the representative tissue opening of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a section view of the representative tissue opening of FIG. 1in a substantially everted disposition.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a representative wound closure accomplishedusing a prior art subcuticular stitching method.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a representative wound closure accomplishedusing a prior art surgical stapling method.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a representative wound closure accomplishedusing a prior art subcuticular, rod-like fastener method.

FIG. 7 is an exploded, perspective view of an embodiment of a tissueclosure device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tissue closure device of FIG. 7 in apre-fastener deployment configuration.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tissue closure device of FIG. 7 in apost-fastener deployment configuration.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a biasing member used with the tissueclosure device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a spring member used with the tissueclosure device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an insertion member used with thetissue closure device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the insertion member of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the insertion member of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a section view of a penetrator portion of the insertionmember of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a detailed view of an embodiment of a penetrator piercingend.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a body member used with the closuredevice of FIG. 7.

FIG. 18 is a side view of the body member of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an end view of the body member of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a gripping member used with the closuredevice of FIG. 7.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a tissue definition member used withthe closure device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the tissue definition member of FIG.21.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the tissue definition member of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is an end view of the tissue definition member of FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is an end view of the tissue definition member of FIG. 21.

FIG. 26 is a top view of an embodiment of a fastener for use with theclosure device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the fastener of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is an end view of the fastener of FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 a is a top view of the fastener of FIG. 26.

FIG. 29 b is a top view of the fastener of FIG. 26.

FIG. 30 is a partially hidden side view of an embodiment of an insertionmember having a plurality of staged fasteners.

FIG. 31 is a top view of a skin wound being approximated with respect toan embodiment of a tissue closure device.

FIG. 32 is partially sectioned, end view of a tissue closure device witha first side of tissue positioned for capture and piercing.

FIG. 33 is a partially sectioned, end view of a tissue closure devicewith a first side of tissue being pierced and also having a second sideof tissue positioned for subsequent capture and piercing.

FIG. 33 a is a top view of skin wound with a first tissue side beingcaptured and pierced.

FIG. 34 is a partially sectioned, end view of a tissue closure devicewith both first and second sides of tissue being pierced and having afastener positioned therein.

FIG. 35 is a top view of a partially closed skin wound wherein a portionof the skin wound has been closed with fasteners deployed from a tissueclosure device and with the tissue closure device deploying anadditional fastener to further effectuate closure of the skin wound.

FIG. 36 is a top view of an embodiment of a fastener for use with atissue closure device.

FIG. 37 is a side view of an embodiment of a tissue fastening device.

FIG. 38 is a perspective, end view of a fastening end of the tissuefastening device of FIG. 37.

FIG. 38 a is a perspective, end view of the fastening end of the tissuefastening device of FIG. 37 including a plurality of staged fasteners.

FIG. 39 is an exploded, perspective view of an insertion member andfastener of the tissue fastening device of FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 a is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of aninsertion member and fastener of the tissue fastening device of FIG. 37a.

FIG. 40 is a top view of the fastener of FIG. 39.

FIG. 40 a is a top view an embodiment of a fastener for use with thetissue fastening device of FIG. 37 having a reduced thickness arcuatebody portion.

FIG. 41 is an end view of the fastening end of the tissue fasteningdevice of FIG. 37 during a first fastening step for closing a skinwound.

FIG. 42 is an end view of the fastening end of the tissue fasteningdevice of FIG. 37 during a second fastening step for closing a skinwound.

FIG. 43 is an end view of the fastening end of the tissue fasteningdevice of FIG. 37 during a third fastening step for closing a skinwound.

FIG. 44 is an end view of the fastening end of the tissue fasteningdevice of FIG. 37 during a fourth fastening step for closing a skinwound.

FIG. 44 a is a perspective end view of the fastening end of the tissuefastening device of FIG. 37 during the fourth fastening step of FIG. 44.

FIG. 45 is an end view of the fastening end of the tissue fasteningdevice of FIG. 37 during a fifth fastening step for closing a skin woundwith a first internally projecting cleat located within a thirdinsertion gap.

FIG. 45 a is an end view of the fastening end of the tissue fasteningdevice of FIG. 37 during a fifth fastening step for closing a skin woundwith a first internally projecting cleat located with a second tissuecapture zone.

FIG. 46 is an end view of the fastening end of the tissue fasteningdevice of FIG. 37 during a sixth fastening step for closing a skinwound.

FIG. 47 is an end view of the fastening end of the tissue fasteningdevice of FIG. 37 during a seventh fastening step for closing a skinwound.

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the tissue fastening device of FIG. 37being repositioned in a skin wound for deployment of the fastener ofFIG. 40.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of the tissue fastening device of FIG. 37deploying the fastener of FIG. 40 to close a skin wound.

FIG. 50 is a perspective view of an everted wound closure being closedwith a plurality of the fasteners of FIG. 40.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a minimally invasivetissue fastening device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a depiction of a typical opening 100 inthe surface of skin 102, such as may be made, for example, by a surgicalincision or a wound. Opening 100 defines a first side 104 and a secondside 106 on opposed sides of the opening 100. First side 104 and secondside 106 can comprise a substantially parallel arrangement asillustrated in FIG. 1, or alternatively, first side 104 and second side106 comprise substantially non-parallel portions such as commonlyassociated with wounds as opposed to surgical incisions. As illustratedin FIG. 1, for purposes of describing the present invention, opening 100may be described as having a length or longitudinal orientation parallelto the y-y axis, a width orientation parallel to the x-x axis, and adepth orientation parallel to the z-z axis. The x-y-z axis, for purposesof one embodiment of the present invention, is defined with respect toan external tissue surface, which in the case of skin 102 is the outersurface. References to a vertical and horizontal planar orientation inconnection with the present invention are made with respect to theexternal tissue surface at the site of the opening in question. Asdescribed herein, opening 100 can have a length from about 8 mm, whichcan reflect surgical procedures such as, for example, a mole resection,to about 60 cm, which can reflect surgical procedures such as, forexample, an abdominoplasty.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, a first vertical innersurface 108 associated with first side 104 and a second vertical innersurface 110 associated with second side 106 can be visualized as meetingalong a generally vertical interface 112. It will be understood that inthe case of an opening that extends over a curved tissue surface, thecorresponding horizontal and vertical surfaces associated with theopening will be defined with respect to such curved tissue surface. Italso will be understood that the vertical interface 112 may be verticalin only one orientation with respect to the tissue surface, such as inthe case when an angled incision has formed the opening 100.

As illustrated in the sectional view of FIGS. 2 and 3, human skin 102generally has three discrete layers. These layers comprise an epidermallayer 114 of mostly non-living tissue having an exterior surface 116, adermal layer 118 of mostly living tissue, and a subcutaneous tissuelayer 120. Although certain representative embodiments of the presentinvention will be described with respect to human skin tissue 102, itwill be understood that the present invention is applicable to closureof openings in other types of tissue having generally defined surfaceswith membranes, layers or wall such as, for example, fascia, membranes,organs, vessels, vasculature, vascular pedicles, skin grafts, bladderand other biocompatible materials with generally defined surfaces alsohaving membranes, layers or walls such as, for example, artificial skin,artificial membranes and synthetic mesh.

It has long been known that the most rapid healing of a skin opening 100with a minimum of scarring occurs when vertical inner surfaces 108, 110of the living dermal layer 118 at each side of the vertical interface112 of skin opening 100 are brought together and held in close contactin what is referred to as an everted position as is shown in exaggeratedfashion in FIG. 3. To the extent that the primarily non-living materialof epidermal layer 114 can be excluded from the healing opening, therapidity and level of scar tissue formed during the healing process willbe minimized.

With respect to skin opening 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, thereexists an optimal target tissue zone 122 on each side of verticalinterface 112 for placement of a fastener 124 in order to achieveoptimal dermal contact for healing. As described in the previouslyreferenced and incorporated Peterson et al. patent documents, one methodby which these target tissue zones 122 can be presented and accessed isthrough a bilateral capture and fastening process. With respect to thepresent disclosure, a method for rotabably, sequentially presenting andaccessing these same target tissue zones via a generally circular pathof travel is defined. In addition, the present rotatatable, sequentialmethods and apparatus disclosed herein permit the path of travel to andthrough the target tissue zones to be accomplished at a variety ofangles and orientations making placement of the fastener 124 convenientto the medical professional. In addition, the rotatable, sequentialnature of the presently disclosed apparatus and systems provide for aneasily scalable system allowing for easy adaptation of systemdimensionality for a variety of surgical procedures including differenttype of tissue having generally define surfaces.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, target tissue zone 122 for a skinclosure lies within the dermal layer 118, and can be visualized as arectangular cross-sectional area when the tissue is in a relaxedcondition. In addition, within each target tissue zone 122, there existsa most preferred area 126 for tissue engagement. In the depthorientation, target tissue zone 122 lays between a distance L3 of about0.1 mm below the exterior surface 116 of epidermal layer 114, and adistance L4 up to 2.0 mm below the exterior surface 116. The mostpreferred area 126 lies between a distance L5 of about 0.2 mm and adistance L6 of about 0.8 mm below the exterior surface 116. In the widthorientation, target tissue zone 122 lies between a distance L7 of about1.0 mm and a distance L8 of about 20.0 mm from vertical interface 112.Most preferred area 126 lies between a distance L9 of about 2.0 mm and adistance L10 of about 8.0 mm from vertical interface 112. Because thetarget tissue zone 122 is not visible to an operator, a tissuemanipulator assembly and rotatable applicator assembly are preferablydesigned to consistently and repeatedly enable the operator to positionthe target tissue zone 122 for deployment of a fastener 124 as will besubsequently described.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the advantages of the various embodiments ofthe present invention are accomplished by an apparatus and method thatrotatably, sequentially engage the target tissue zones 122, hereafterreferred to as a first target tissue zone 128 associated with first side108 and a second target tissue zone 130 associated with second side 110,on each side of a skin opening 100 with fastener 124 that is preferablymade of a bioabsorbable material. The location, geometry and orientationof the fastener and the dermal layers in relation to the mechanicalapparatus of the present invention are all important considerations toobtaining the most optimal contact and compression of the dermal layerfor efficacious closing of the opening in this embodiment. While theskin opening 100 will be described in connection with an opening in asingle piece of tissue, it will be understood that the opening 100 couldalso be between two separate and otherwise unconnected pieces of tissue,or even between a piece of tissue and a piece of biocompatible materialto be secured to that piece of tissue. In addition, the methods andsystems of the present invention are applicable to a wide variety ofsizes and configurations for skin opening 100, such as, for example, thelengthy, purposeful incisions associated with surgical procedures suchas removing excess skin after bariatric surgery or for very smallopenings associated with procedures such as a mole resection.

A representative embodiment of a tissue fastening device 200 of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Tissue fasteningdevice 200 is generally defined by a proximal fastening end 202 and adistal biasing end 204, with the terms proximal and distal reflectingrelative positioning with respect to tissue opening 100 during use ofthe tissue fastening device 200 to close tissue opening 100. Tissuefastening device 200 can comprise a biasing member 206, a spring member208, an insertion member 210, fastener 124, a body member 212, agripping member 214, a retention pin 216 and a tissue definition member218. Tissue fastening device 200 can be fabricated of medicallyacceptable materials including metals such as, for example, stainlesssteel or medical grade polymers. As depicted in FIG. 8, tissue fasteningdevice 200 is depicted in a pre-fastener deployment configuration 220while in FIG. 9, tissue fastening device 200 is depicted in apost-fastener deployment configuration 222.

Biasing member 206 is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 10. Biasingmember 206 generally comprises a biasing surface 224 having an underside224 a, a biasing body 226 and a biasing interface 228. Biasing interface228 can comprise a flat configuration or alternatively, a biasingprojection 230.

Spring member 208, as illustrated in FIG. 11, can comprise a metal orpolymer-based spring having a suitable spring tension for use in ahand-operated instrument, for example an instrument capable of handsqueezing and initiation such as tissue fastening device 200. Springmember 208 defines a spring length 232 and a spring diameter 234. Anappropriate spring diameter 234 can be selected to as to fully surroundthe biasing body 226 so as to directly interface with the underside 224a of biasing surface 224, as illustrated in FIG. 8.

Insertion member 210 as illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 can comprisean engagement surface 236, an insertion body 238, an extension member240 and a penetrator 242. Insertion body 238 can in some representativeembodiments comprise a generally cylindrical orientation and maycomprise a solid body or alternatively, a hollow body, depending uponcriteria such as material selection, component fabrication methods andthe number of fastener 124 to be stored and/or deployed by the tissuefastening device 200. In some representative embodiments, extensionmember 240 and penetrator 242 can be integrally formed as a singlecomponent. Penetrator 242 generally comprises a generally falcate orsickle-shaped configuration defined by piercing end 244, a penetratorbody 246 and a penetrator distal end 248 abutting and/or operablyconnected to the extension member 240. Insertion body 238 can comprisean external drive mechanism such as, for example, an external thread 250or “rifling” so as to translate linear movement of insertion body 238into rotatable movement of the penetrator 242. The external divemechanism can in some embodiments comprise a groove and/or channel forreceiving interfacing with an external member.

Penetrator 242 is more clearly illustrated in detailed FIGS. 15 and 16.For example, penetrator body 246 is more clearly illustrated in sectionview in FIG. 15 as having a bottom penetrator surface 252 definedbetween a radial exterior wall surface 254 and a radial inner surface256. Bottom penetrator surface 252 can comprise a bottom wall thickness252 a while radial exterior wall surface 254 can comprise a radialexterior wall thickness 254 a. Bottom penetrator surface 252 comprises abottom surface width 252 b while radial exterior wall surface 254comprises a radial exterior wall height 254 b. Piercing end 244 asillustrated in FIG. 16 can comprise a dual-face penetrator 256 having avertical cutting surface 258 and a horizontal cutting surface 260. Boththe vertical cutting surface 258 and horizontal cutting surface 260 cancomprise a first cutting facet 262 with a first facet length 262 a and asecond cutting facet 264 with a second facet length 264 a. In somepresently contemplated embodiments, first face length 262 a can compriseanywhere from about ½ to about ⅔ of the individual lengths of verticalcutting surface 258 and horizontal cutting surface 260.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19, body member 212 generallycomprises a first body portion 266 and a second body portion 268. Bodymember 212 has a generally cylindrical configuration with a hollowinterior 270 extending between a first body end 272 and a second bodyend 274. Hollow interior 270 defines an internal body diameter 271 sizedso as to allow placement of insertion member 210 within hollow interior270. First body portion 266 can comprise an exterior channel 276extending from the exterior of first body portion 266 into the hollowinterior 270. First body portion 266 and second body portion 268 aredistinguished by a body flange 278. Second body portion 268 comprise anexposed portion 280 proximate the second body end 274, which generallycorresponds to proximal fastening end 202.

Gripping member 214, as illustrated in FIG. 20, generally comprises ahollow, cylindrical gripping body 282 and a flanged body portion 284. Aninterior portion 286 of the gripping member 214 extends between a firstgripping end 288 and a second gripping end 290. Interior portion 286comprises a gripping member interior diameter 292 generally sized suchthat body member 212, and more specifically first body portion 266 canbe accommodated within interior portion 286. A gripping aperture 294extends through a gripping body wall 296 of the cylindrical grippingbody 282. Flanged body portion 284 defines a gripping surface 298.

As illustrated in FIGS. 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25, tissue definition member218 generally comprises a tissue definition body member 300 having afirst definition member end 302 and a second definition member end 304,wherein the second definition member end 304 generally corresponds toproximal fastening end 202. Tissue definition body member 300 defines agenerally arcuate perimeter body surface 306 sized and shaped togenerally conform to exposed portion 280 of the body member 212. Seconddefinition member end 304 comprises a first projecting block 308 a, asecond projecting block 308 b, a third projecting block 308 c and acentral projecting member 310 all projecting outward from an end wall311. Central projecting member 310 comprises a first projecting portion312 a, a second projecting portion 312 b and a third projecting portion312 c. A first tissue capture area 314 is defined generally as the areabounded within first projecting block 308 a, second projecting block 308b, first projecting portion 312 a and second projecting portion 312 b. Asecond tissue capture area 316 is defined generally as the area boundwithin second projecting block 308 b, third projecting block 308 c,second projecting portion 312 b and third projecting portion 312 c. Afirst insertion gap 318 a is defined between first projecting block 308a and first projecting portion 312 a. A second insertion gap 318 b isdefined between second projecting block 308 b and second projectingportion 312 b. A third insertion gap 318 c is defined between thirdprojecting block 308 c and third projecting portion 312 c. Asillustrated in FIG. 25, tissue definition body member 300 furthercomprises an arcuate interior space 320 that generally matches andconforms to the size and shape of exposed portion 280. End wall 311defines a first opening 322 corresponding to first insertion gap 318 aand a second opening 324 corresponding to third insertion gap 318 c.

A representative embodiment of fastener 124 is illustrated in FIGS. 26,27, 28, 29 a and 29 b. Fastener 124 is comprised of a generallybioabsorbable polymer selected to maintain effective retention strengthfor a period of at least 5 to 21 days within the body, and optimally atleast 14 days before eventually being fully absorbed within the humanbody. Most preferably, bioabsorbable polymer comprises a blendedbioabsorbable copolymer comprised of 63% polylactide and 37%polygycolide, commonly referred to as PLGA. While the PLGA copolymer isused in one representative embodiment, other bioabsorbable polymers suchas, for example, a lactide/glycolide copolymer, a poly(dl-lactide), apoly(l-lactide), a polyglycolide, a poly(dioxanone), apoly(glycolide-co-trimethylene carbonate), apoly(l-lactide-co-glycolide), a poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide), apoly(l-lactide-co-dl-lactide), a poly(glycolide-co-trimethylenecarbonate-co-dioxanone), collagen, and elastin, either individually, inblends or as copolymers, sharing similar traits including absorptiontraits, injection molding traits and polymer creep traits could be usedas well. Similar to other polymers, the PLGA copolymer used in onerepresentative embodiment exhibits viscoelastic properties in which theentangled molecules under stress tend to slide past one another,creating a viscoelastic creep.

Generally, fastener 124 comprises an arcuate body portion 326 operablyconnecting a pair of internally projecting cleats 328 a, 328 b at elbowportions 330 a, 330 b. Elbow portions 330 a, 330 b each preferablyinclude a rounded cleat tip 332 a, 332 b. Arcuate body portion 326 cancomprise a generally constant radius between the internally projectingcleats 328 a, 328 b defining an arc in range of about 125° to about165°. Arcuate body portion 326 is generally defined by an arcuateexterior, perimeter surface 334 and an arcuate interior surface 336. Thearcuate shape of interior surface 336 functions to even out and focusfastener loading forces and reduces potential rocking of fastener 124during tissue retention. Fastener 124 can have a generally constantcross-sectional appearance between elbow portions 330 a, 330 b. In orderto facilitate removal of fastener 124 from a molding process, fastener124 can comprise a plurality of distinct segments and surfaces asillustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28.

Internally projecting cleats 328 a, 328 b are generally defined by anoutwardly facing cleat surface 338, an inwardly facing cleat surface 340and rounded cleat tips 332 a, 332 b. Each inwardly facing cleat surface340 connects to the interior surface 336 at a cleat base 344 so as todefine a pair of durable tissue retention zones 346 a, 346 b. Incombination, interior surface 336 and the inwardly facing cleat surfaces340 define an initial tissue capture zone 348.

The features of one embodiment of fastener 124 are further illustratedin FIGS. 28, 29 a and 29 b. These features can include an effectivefastener center line 350 about which internally projecting cleans 328 a,328 b can be symmetrically oriented. The intersection of arcuate bodyportion 326 with internally projecting cleats 328 a, 328 b createsinternal elbow angles 352 a, 352 b relative to fastener 124. Elbowportions 330 a, 330 b are generally defined as the areas proximate thecorresponding elbow angle 352 a, 352 b. Other features can include afastener length 353, a body width 354, a fastener height 355, aoutwardly facing cleat surface length 356, a cleat cross-sectional width357 measured transversely to the arcuate body portion 326, an inwardlyfacing cleat surface length 358, a cleat width 360 and a cleat gap 362.Fastener length 353 can comprise a variety of length preferably notexceeding 22 mm in length. Similarly, fastener height 355 can comprise avariety of lengths with the preferable limitation that a ratio offastener length 353 to fastener height 355 exceeds 2:1. Body width 354can comprise a variety of widths preferably not exceeding 4 mm ofcross-sectional width. Cleat cross-sectional width 357 can comprise avariety of widths with the preferable limitation that cleatcross-sectional width 357 exceeds the body width 354 by at least 50%.Cleat gap 362 preferably has a gap length from about 1 mm to about 12mm.

After fastener 124 has been employed to retain and/or fasten tissue,stresses placed on the fastener 124 at elbow portions 330 a, 330 b cancause the arcuate body portion 326 to dynamically transition from thegenerally constant radius arc to a more linear disposition. After thisdynamic transition, the ratio of fastener length 353 to fastener height355 may increase by at least 10%.

Due to the expense of the bioabsorbable polymer resins used infabricating fastener 124, it is preferable to avoid unnecessary wasteduring the molding process. In order to reduce waste, fastener 124 canbe preferably formed using a micromolding injection molding process.Micromolding injection molding is typically used when the molding shotsize is less than 1 gram. Using an appropriate micromolding injectionsystem, for example a Battenfeld Microsystem M50, resin waste can besignificantly reduced during production of a fastener 124 in accordancewith the present invention. In addition, a micromolding injection systemhas other processing advantages such as allowing high injection speedsto promote dimensional stability, low residence times at elevatedtemperatures and integrated part handling capabilities.

Tissue fastening device 200 is generally assembled as illustrated inFIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Insertion member 210 is positioned with respect tobody member 212 such that penetrator 242 can be slidably inserted fromfirst body portion 266, through hollow interior 270 such that penetrator242 resides proximate exposed portion 280. Gripping member 214 is placedover first body portion 266 of body member 212 and retention pin 216 isslidably inserted through gripping aperture 294 such that retention pin216 retentively engages the exterior channel 276 on body member 212 aswell as threaded channel 250 on the insertion member 210. When fullyinserted, retention pin 216 operatively couples gripping member 214,insertion member 210 and body member 212.

Next, fastener 124 can be positioned and mounted with respect topenetrator 242 as illustrated in FIG. 32. As depicted in FIGS. 7, 8 and9, tissue fastening device 200 can comprise a single fastener 124 foruse in closing small tissue wounds such as, for example, skin biopsiesand mole resections and various small-scale dermatology procedures.Alternatively, tissue fastening device can comprise a plurality offasteners 124 arranged in a stacked configuration within an at leastpartially hollow version of insertion member 210 as shown in hidden viewin FIG. 30. Insertion member 210 can comprise an advancing member 364such as, for example, a spring, mounted within a hollow portion 365 tosequentially advance individual fasteners 124 into a mountingarrangement with respect to penetrator 242. By staging multiplefasteners 124 within insertion member 210, tissue fastening device 200can be utilized to close larger wounds such as, for example, surgicalincisions requiring more than one fastener 124 to accomplish successfulwound closure.

After one or more fasteners 124 have been loaded, tissue definitionmember 218 can be operably mounted to exposed portion 280 such as, forexample, with an adhesive or snap-fit arrangement. To complete assemblyof tissue fastening device 200, spring member 208 is positioned overfirst body portion 266 of body member 212 such spring member 208interfaces with the flanged body portion 284 of gripping member 214.Finally, biasing member 206 is operatively coupled to first body portion266 of body member 212 such that biasing projection 230 abuts theengagement surface 236.

In use in one embodiment, tissue fastening device 200 can be utilized bydermatologists, physicians, clinicians and other medical personnel toaccomplish a variety of skin closures including intentional, surgicalincisions as well as accidental cuts, tears or piercings. Generally, afirst step in effectuating wound closure with tissue fastening device200 is to position proximal fastening end 202 proximate the wound asillustrated in FIG. 31. Tissue fastening device 200 should be in apre-firing orientation, for example pre-fastener deploymentconfiguration 220 as illustrated in FIG. 8. In some instances, proximalfastening end 202 can be positioned within the wound below the surfaceof skin 102 or alternatively, proximal fastening end 202 can bepositioned above the surface of skin 102 wherein a user can manipulatefirst side 104 and second side 106 with a suitable grasping member 366to lift skin 102 to the tissue fastening instrument 200 and achieve aneverted disposition as illustrated in FIG. 3. Grasping member 366 cancomprise a traditional forceps or a sequential tissue forceps asdisclosed in United States Patent Publication No. 2006/0135988A1, whichis herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Depending upon various wound characteristics such as, for example, bodylocation, tissue type, wound tension, body type, patient age and similarvariables, first side 104 and second side 106 can be simultaneouslypositioned with respect to proximal fastening end 202 or alternatively,a first side 104 be positioned and captured with fastener 124, asdescribe below, followed by capture and fastening of a second side 106.Sequential capture, as opposed to simultaneous fastening, of first side104 and second side 106 may be especially applicable to large wounds orhigh tension wounds wherein simultaneously capturing, positioning andretaining tissue is made increasingly difficult.

First side 104 is gripped and stretched by grasping member 366 such thatfirst side 104 resembles the stretched configuration illustrated in FIG.3. Once stretched, first side 104 is positioned with respect to tissuedefinition member 218 such that dermal layer 118 substantially occupiesand fills first tissue capture area 314 as illustrated in FIG. 32.Because of the stretched configuration of first side 104, epidermallayer 114 and subcutaneous tissue layer 120 are kept substantially outof and preferably entirely absent from first tissue capture are 314. Ifany of the first projecting block 308 a, second projecting block 308 band/or central projecting member 310 include retaining projections 325,the retaining projections 325 further assist to capture and retain thedermal layer 118 within the first tissue capture area 314.

Once the dermal layer 118 of first side 104 is positioned within firsttissue capture area 314, a medical professional such as, for example, adoctor or nurse squeezes together biasing member 206 and gripping member214. This squeezing action causes retention pin 216 to begin traversingthe threaded channel 250, thus imparting a rotational spin to insertionmember 210. As insertion member 210 spins, rotational motion is impartedto penetrator 242 such that piercing end 244 is rotatably directedthrough first insertion gap 318 a. Continued squeezing together of thebiasing member 206 and gripping member 214 directs piercing end 244through the first tissue capture are 314, which simultaneously resultsin piercing end 244 piercing and passing through the dermal layer 118 offirst side 104 as illustrated in FIG. 33. As penetrator 242 rotatablytraverses the first tissue capture area 314, fastener 124 is carriedthrough the pierced opening such that internally projecting cleat 328 apasses though dermal layer 118 of first side 104. As internallyprojecting cleat 328 a has a cross-section substantially greater thanpenetrator 242, the elastic tissue of dermal layer 118 is required tostretch around and over inwardly projecting cleat 328 a. As piercing end244 approaches second insertion gap 318 b, first side 104 can bereleased by grasping member 366 as first side 104 is now fully retainedby penetrator 242 and fastener 124 as illustrated in FIG. 33 a.

Next, second side 106 is gripped and stretched by grasping member 366such that second side 106 resembles the stretched configurationillustrated in FIG. 3. Once stretched, second side 106 is positionedwith respect to tissue definition member 218 such that dermal layer 118substantially occupies and fills second tissue capture area 316 asillustrated in FIG. 33. For similar reasons as previously discussed withrespect to first side 104, epidermal layer 114 and subcutaneous tissuelayer 120 are kept substantially out of and preferably entirely absentfrom second tissue capture are 316. If any of the second projectingblock 308 b, third projecting block 308 c and/or central projectingmember 310 include retaining projections 325, the retaining projections325 further assist to capture and retain the dermal layer 118 within thesecond tissue capture area 316.

After positioning second side 106, the medical professional continueswith the squeezing together of biasing member 206 and gripping member214. As discussed previously, this squeezing action causes insertionmember 210 to spin such that penetrator 242 is rotatably advanced intothe second tissue capture area 316. As discussed previously with respectto first side 104, piercing end 244 pierces and passes through thedermal layer 118 of second side 106. As penetrator 242 rotatablytraverses the second tissue capture area 316, fastener 124 is carriedthrough the pierced opening such that internally projecting cleat 328 apasses though dermal layer 118 of first side 104 as illustrated in FIG.34. At the same time, projecting cleat 328 b rotatably follows into thefirst tissue capture area 314 wherein the dermal layer 118 is generallypiled into and retained within the durable tissue retention zone 346 bas projecting cleat 328 b has a cross-section substantially larger thanthe opening pierced by penetrator 242. As biasing member 206 andgripping member 214 are squeezed to their closest orientation, piercingend 244 exits dermal layer 118 of second side 106 through the thirdinsertion gap 318 c. As inwardly projecting cleat 328 a passes throughthe third insertion gap 318 c, the elastic tissue of dermal layer 118 isrequired to stretch around and over inwardly projecting cleat 328 awhereby second side 106 is elastically captured within durable tissueretention zone 346 a.

Generally, biasing member 206 and gripping member 214 reach anorientation, for example, in the post-fastener deployment configuration222 shown in FIG. 9, where further squeezing together is impossibleand/or prevented. This orientation generally corresponds to the point intime where piercing end 244 and inwardly projecting cleat 328 a havepassed through the third insertion gap 318 c. During the squeezing ofbiasing member 206 and gripping member 214, spring member 208 has beencompressed. At this point, the medical professional releases thegripping member 214 causing spring member 208 to rebound and directgripping member 214 and biasing member 206 apart. The rebound of springmember 208 causes retention pin 216 to begin reversibly traversing thethreaded channel 250, thus imparting a reverse rotational spin toinsertion member 210. As insertion member 210 spins in an oppositedirection, this opposite rotational motion is imparted to penetrator 242such that piercing end 244 is rotatably sequentially withdrawn thoughthird insertion gap 318 c, second tissue capture area 316, secondinsertion gap 318 b, first tissue capture area 314 and first insertiongap 318 a. While penetrator 242 is rotatably withdrawn, fastener 124remains positioned within the dermal layers 118 of first side 104 andsecond side 106 as the increased cross-sectional areas of projectingcleats 328 a, 328 b prevent fastener 124 from being rotatably withdrawn.As such, first side 104 and second side 106 remain in a retained,proximate orientation as illustrated in FIG. 35 due to the tissuecaptured within the durable tissue retention zones 346 a, 346. Theproximal fastening end 202 is then removed from the opening 100. Forwounds requiring more than one fastener 124 to effectuate closure,tissue fastening device 200 can be advanced to the next preferredfastening location wherein the process can be repeated for insertion ofadditional fasteners 124.

In addition to previously described fastener 124, tissue fasteningdevice 200 can utilize alternative fastener designs such as, forexample, a fastener 400 as illustrated in FIG. 36. Fastener 400 cancomprise a leading body portion 402, a suture body portion 404 and atrailing body portion 406. Leading body portion 402 can comprise anouter wall 408, an inner wall 410, an inwardly projecting cleat 412 anda leading attachment wall 414. Suture body portion 404 generallycomprises a non rigid suture material such as, for example, materialscommonly used in suturing and/or stitching wounds closed. Trailing bodyportion 406 can comprise a pair of anchoring cleats 416 a, 416 b and atrailing attachment wall 418. Fastener 400 can be fabricated of similarbioabsorbable materials as previously described with respect to fastener124. When fastener 400 is utilized for wound closure using the methodpreviously described with respect to tissue fastening device 200,leading body portion 402 functions substantially similar to internallyprojecting cleat 328 a while the anchoring cleats 416 a, 416 bessentially perform a dual anchoring function by simultaneouslyretaining tissue within a pair of anchoring tissue retention zones 420a, 420 b.

As will be recognized by one of skill in the art, suitable fasteners foruse with the presently disclosed methods and apparatus may comprise avariety of configurations, especially with respect to trailing portionsof the fastener. Generally speaking, suitable fasteners will comprise atrailing anchoring mechanism for effectuating tissue capture andretention, such as internally projecting cleat 328 b and anchoringcleats 416 a, 416 b. In addition, suitable fasteners will include asuitable connecting element such as arcuate body portion 326 and suturebody portion 404, for effectively connecting leading portions of thefastener such as internally projecting cleat 328 a and leading bodyportion 402 during insertion and over the period of time required forhealing of skin opening 100.

Another representative embodiment of a tissue fastening device 500 ofthe present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 37 and 38. Tissuefastening device 500 can comprise generally similar features andcomponents as tissue fastening device 200 so as to accomplish similartissue capture and closure results. Tissue fastening device 500 caninclude a trigger style biasing end 502 for manipulating a fastening end504. Tissue fastening device 500 can further comprise a pair of pivotingtissue capture members 506 a, 506 b for capturing and positioning tissueto be fastened within a tissue definition member 508. The tissue capturemembers 506 a, 506 b can be sequentially actuated during use throughsqueezing of the trigger style biasing end 502 or alternatively, bybiasing a first body portion 510 over a second body portion 512 so as toforce the approximation of the tissue capture members 506 a, 506 b withthe tissue definition member 508.

As shown in FIG. 38, fastening end 504 is generally defined by anexterior body wall 514 and the tissue definition member 508. Tissuedefinition member 508 generally comprises a central projecting member516 having a first projecting arm 516 a, a second projecting arm 516 band a third projecting arm 516 c. Exterior body wall 514 comprises anon-interrupted wall 518 and a wall separator 520. Cooperatively thenon-interrupted wall 518 and wall separator 520 define a first wall gap522 and a second wall gap 524. Non-interrupted wall 518 defines a wallarc 526 exceeding at least 180° while a tissue interface arc 528 definedby the first wall gap 522, second wall gap 524 and wall separator 520 isless than 180°. A first insertion gap 530 is defined between thenon-interrupted wall 518 and the first projecting arm 516 a. A secondinsertion gap 532 is defined between the wall separator 520 and thesecond projecting arm 516 b. Third projecting arm 516 c includes a gapcover 534 extending to the non-interrupted wall 518 so as to define anenclosed third insertion gap 536.

As depicted in FIGS. 38 and 38 a, the tissue capture members 506 a, 506b are illustrated in a substantially closed, tissue capturingdisposition 538. Tissue capture members 506 a, 506 b can include one ormore tissue gripping members 539 to promote tissue capture and retentionduring a fastening procedure. Tissue gripping members 539 can comprise avariety of configuration including, for example, barbs, projectingcubes, pyramids, rounded bumps and castles. In tissue capturingdisposition 538, a first tissue capture area 540 is defined in the areabounded by the first insertion gap 530, the second insertion gap 532,tissue capture member 506 a, first projecting arm 516 a and secondprojecting arm 516 b while a second tissue capture area 542 is definedin the area bounded by the second insertion gap 532, the enclosed thirdinsertion gap 536, tissue capture member 506 b, the second projectingarm 516 b and the enclosed third insertion gap 536.

With further reference to FIGS. 38 and 39, fastening end 504 of thetissue fastening device 500 further comprises a penetrator 544 operablyattached to an insertion member 546. Both penetrator 544 and insertionmember 546 can substantially resemble penetrator 242 and insertionmember 210 as previously described with reference to tissue fasteningdevice 200. Insertion member 546 is operably adapted to rotate withinthe exterior body wall 514 such that penetrator 544 is rotatably movablethrough a fastener insertion path 548 corresponding generally to thetissue interface arc 528 as will be described in detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 39 and 40, an embodiment of a fastener 550 for usewith penetrator 544 is illustrated. Fastener 550 can comprise similarcomponents and fabrication techniques so as to provide fastener 550 withsimilar bioabsorption and dynamic transitioning capabilities aspreviously described with respect to fastener 124. While fastener 550 isgenerally described as comprising a bioabsorbable polymer such as, forexample, the polymer and copolymer blends previously described withrespect to fastener 124, it may be advantageous in certain surgicalapplications to utilize non-bioabsorbable materials such as, forexample, stainless steel, nitinol and other medical grade alloys tofabricate fastener 550.

Generally, fastener 550 comprises an arcuate body portion 552 operablyconnecting a pair of internally projecting cleats 554 a, 554 b at elbowportions 556 a, 556 b. Elbow portion 556 a can include a rounded elbowtip 558 while elbow portion 556 b includes a fastener biasing surface559. Arcuate body portion 552 can comprise a generally constant radiusbetween the internally projecting cleats 554, 554 b defining a fastenerarc in the range of about 125° to about 165°. Arcuate body portion 552is generally defined by an arcuate exterior, perimeter surface 560 andan arcuate interior surface 562. The arcuate shape of interior surface562 functions to even out and focus fastener loading forces and reducespotential rocking of fastener 550 during tissue retention. Fastener 550can have a generally constant cross-sectional appearance between elbowportions 556 a, 556 b. Internally projecting cleats 554 a, 554 b aregenerally defined by an outwardly facing cleat surface 564, an inwardlyfacing cleat surface 566 and rounded cleat tips 568 a, 568 b. Eachinwardly facing cleat surface 566 connects to the interior surface 562at a cleat base 570 so as to define a pair of durable tissue retentionzones 572 a, 572 b. In combination, interior surface 562 and theinwardly facing cleat surfaces 566 define an initial tissue capture zone574. Additional dimensional features of fastener 550 can substantiallyresemble fastener 124 as previously described including an effectivefastener center line, elbow angles, fastener length, body width,fastener height, outwardly facing cleat surface length, cleatcross-sectional width, inwardly facing cleat surface length, cleat widthand cleat gap.

As illustrated in FIG. 40 a, an embodiment of a fastener 550 a for usewith the penetrator 544 can substantially resemble fastener 550 with theexception of a reduced thickness arcuate body portion 552 a operablyconnecting internally projecting cleats 554 a, 554 b at elbow portions556 a, 556 b. Internally projecting cleats 554 a, 554 b and elbowportions 556 a, 556 b have increased thicknesses allowing the fastener550 a to retain strength in areas such as, for example, the durabletissue retention zones 572 a, 572 b, that are most effected by woundstress during healing. The reduced sectional profile of reducedthickness arcuate body portion 552 a transitions to the increasedprofile of the elbow portions 556 a, 556 b at a pair of transition zones553 a, 553 b. As reduced thickness arcuate body portion 552 has areduced cross-sectional profile, less bioabsorbable material is requiredduring fabrication. Reducing the amount of bioabsorbable material infastener 550 a can significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing eachfastener 550 a while at the same time being less irritating to capturedtissue. In addition, reducing the cross-sectional profile of reducedthickness arcuate body portion 552 can be advantageous as fastener 550 ais generally more flexible than fastener 550, allowing fastener 550 a tomore readily adapt to tissue stress and quickly assume a tensile mode.

Referring again to FIG. 39, fastener 550 generally resides within afastener holding portion 576 on the penetrator 544 defined by a bottompenetrator surface 578, a radial exterior wall surface 580, a radialinner surface 582 and a biasing wall 584. Fastener 550 is positionedwithin the fastener holding portion 576 such that the arcuate bodyportion 552 lies against the bottom penetrator surface 578 and theradial exterior wall surface 580 with the elbow portion 556 a proximatea penetrator piercing end 586 and the fastener biasing surface 559positioned against the biasing wall 584. Through the interface ofbiasing wall 584 and the fastener biasing surface 559, fastener 550 isforcibly carried with penetrator 544 as insertion member 546 rotateswith respect to fastening end 504 such that fastener 550 is carriedthrough the fastener insertion path 548. In addition to or alternativelyto using the interaction of biasing wall 584 and fastener biasingsurface 559 to carry fastener 550, penetrator 544 can comprise aprojecting member 588 within the fastener holding portion 576 forengaging a notched section 589 on the fastener 550 so as to carryfastener 550 with the penetrator 544 as illustrated in FIG. 39 a. Theinteraction of projecting member 588 and notched section 589 can providean additional benefit of properly aligning the fastener 550 within thefastener holding portion 576, which may be especially useful when tissuefastening device 500 comprises a plurality of staged fasteners 550.

Use of tissue fastening device 500 for closure of a tissue wound isillustrated sequentially in FIGS. 41-47. As presently discussed, tissuefastening device 500 is described with reference to closure of a skinwound for illustrative purposes though it will be understood that tissuefastening device 500 is similarly applicable to a variety of relatedtissue closure and/or joining applications. Due to the rotatableinsertion nature of fastener 550, fastening end 504 can be positioned ina wide range of angular orientations with respect to the opening 100allowing fastener 550 to access the target tissue zones 122 in a varietyof angular orientations with respect to the exterior surface 116 of theskin tissue 102.

Referring to FIG. 41, a first fastening step 590 generally comprisespositioning fastening end 504 within opening 100. Using the triggerstyle biasing end 502, the tissue capture member 506 a is biased closedsuch that it resides proximate the first wall gap 522. As tissue capturemember 506 a approaches the first wall gap 522, first side 104 isgrasped and squeezed such that the first target tissue zone 128 ispresented, retained and defined within the first tissue capture area540. As first side 104 is captured within first tissue capture area 540,penetrator 544 and fastener 550 remain positioned fully within the wallarc 526.

Following the positioning of the first side 104 within the first tissuecapture area 540, further biasing of the trigger style biasing end 502initiates rotation of the insertion member 546 and correspondingly,penetrator 544 such that piercing end 586 rotates through the firstinsertion gap 530 and commences rotational travel along the tissueinterface arc 528 during a second fastening step 592 as illustrated inFIG. 42. As piercing end 586 rotates along the tissue interface arc 528,the piercing end 586 cuts through the dermal layer 118 of captured firstside 104. As piercing end 586 rotatably traverses the first tissuecapture area 540, internally projecting cleat 554 a is carried throughthe dermal layer 118. As the cross-sectional width of the internallyprojecting cleat 554 a exceeds the cross-sectional width of the piercingend 586 and the penetrator 544, the first side 104 essentially piles upalong the outwardly facing cleat surface 564 until the internallyprojecting cleat 554 a approaches and enters the second insertion gap532 wherein the first side 104, still captured and retained by tissuecapture member 506 a is elastically stretched and pulled over theinternally projecting cleat 554 a such that the arcuate body portion 552of fastener 550 resides within a pierced opening of the first side 104.

Once piercing end 586 reaches the second insertion gap 532, furtherbiasing of the trigger style biasing end 502 causes tissue capturemember 506 b to close such that it resides proximate the second wall gap524 in a third fastening step 594 as illustrated in FIG. 43. As tissuecapture member 506 b approaches the second wall gap 524, second side 106is grasped and squeezed such that the second target tissue zone 130 ispresented, retained and defined within the second tissue capture area542. As second side 106 is captured within second tissue capture area542, piercing end 586 remains positioned within the second insertion gap532 so as to not interfere with the capture of second side 106.

Once the second target tissue zone 130 is defined within the secondtissue capture area 542, further biasing of the trigger style biasingend 502 causes piercing end 586 to commence rotational travel throughthe second tissue capture area 542 during a fourth fastening step 596 asillustrated in FIGS. 44 and 44 a. As piercing end 586 rotates along thetissue interface arc 528, the piercing end 586 cuts through the dermallayer 118 of captured second side 106. As the internally projectingcleat 554 a is carried through the second tissue capture area 542, thesecond side 106 piles up along the outwardly facing cleat surface 564until the internally projecting cleat 554 a approaches and enters theenclosed third insertion gap 536. As piercing end 586 and consequently,the internally projecting cleat 564 a enter the enclosed third insertiongap 536, the piercing end 586 and internally projecting cleat 564 aleave the tissue interface arc 528 and enter the wall arc 526. Asinternally projecting cleat 564 a begins traversing the wall arc 526,rounded cleat tip 568 a enters the enclosed third insertion gap 536 suchthat the second side 106 which has been piled along the outwardly facingcleat surface 564 is elastically stretched and forced over theinternally projecting cleat 564 a by the enclosed third insertion gap536. At the same time that internally projecting cleat 564 a traversesthe second tissue capture area 542, internally projecting cleat 564 b isadvanced into the first tissue capture area 540 wherein the internallyprojecting cleat 564 b essentially acts as an anchor and captures firstside 104 within the durable tissue retention zone 572 b. As first side104 is in an elastically stretched condition due to its initial captureby internally projecting cleat 564 a, first side 104 is elasticallyretained within the durable tissue retention zone 572 b and cannotescape capture by the internally projecting cleat 564 b.

Once the piercing end 586 and internally projecting cleat 564 a havepassed fully into the enclosed third insertion gap 536 and the secondside 106 has been elastically stretched over the internally projectingcleat 564 a, the trigger style biasing end 502 can be released so as toinitiate a reverse rotation of the insertion member 546, andconsequently, the penetrator 544 in a fifth fastening step 598 asillustrated in FIGS. 45 and 45 a. Penetrator 544 is rotatably withdrawnthrough the tissue interface arc 528 such that piercing end 586 resideswithin the second insertion gap 532. As piercing end 586 is withdrawnthrough the second tissue capture area 542, fastener 550 is preferablyslightly withdrawn as depicted in FIG. 45 a such that the internallyprojecting cleat 564 a exits the enclosed third insertion gap 536.However, in some closure and attachment locations, fastener 550 mayremain essentially stationary such that internally projecting cleat 564a continues to reside within enclosed third insertion gap 536 as shownin FIG. 45 even as the penetrator 544 is rotatably withdrawn.

During a sixth fastening step 600 as illustrated in FIG. 46, thepenetrator 544 is fully withdrawn such that it resides solely within thewall arc 526, the capture of first side 104 and second side 106 withfastener 550 is completed with the first side 104 elastically capturedwithin the second durable retention zone 572 b and the second side 106elastically captured within the first durable retention zone 572 a. Ifwhen penetrator 544 fully resides within the wall arc 526, theinternally projecting cleat 564 a remains within the enclosed thirdinsertion gap 536 as shown in FIG. 45, a trailing penetrator member 602as shown in FIG. 45 can be used to bump internally projecting cleat 564a from the enclosed third insertion gap 536.

Finally, tissue capture members 506 a, 506 b are withdrawn during aseventh fastening step 604 illustrated in FIG. 47 such that tissuefastening device 500 can be lifted from the opening 100 and first side104 and second side 106 are retainably held by fastener 550. Followingseventh fastening step 604, the fastening process can be repeated byrepositioning tissue fastening device 500 as shown in FIGS. 48 and 49 ata next desired fastening location along opening 100 if tissue fasteningdevice 500 includes additional fasteners 550 as illustrated in FIG. 38a. As illustrated in FIGS. 48, 49 and 50, tissue fastening device 500has been utilized to close skin opening 100 with a plurality offasteners 550 in a generally downwardly facing, non-parallel orientationwith respect to exterior surface 116. Fasteners 550 retain first side104 and second side 106 in the generally everted disposition mostadvantageous for wound healing.

Due to the flexibility of tissue fastening device 500, fastener 550 canbe deployed in almost any orientation ranging from substantiallyparallel to substantially perpendicular with respect to the exteriorsurface 116 of first side 104 and second side 106. Due to theflexibility of the placement orientation of fasteners 550 within firstside 104 and second side 106, a medical professional is provided theoption of varying the spacing between adjacent fasteners allowing themedical professional to selectively increase the overall closurestrength along the length of opening 100 by placing adjacent fastener550 in close proximity, which may be especially advantageous in eitherhigh-stress wound locations or for larger wounds. As best illustrated inFIG. 50, the placement of a plurality of fasteners 550 to close wound100 essentially simulates a wound closure accomplished using a running,subcuticular suture with the added benefit of each fastener 550 beinginterrupted so as to reduce the potential for infection and inflammationwhich can be communicated along the continuous length of a running,subcuticular suture.

As illustrated in FIG. 51, the closure principles disclosed in theaforementioned apparatus and method embodiments are applicable to andcan be utilized to form a minimally invasive tissue fastening device700. Similar to tissue fastening devices 200 and 500, minimally invasivetissue fastening device 700 can comprise a biasing portion 702 and aninsertion portion 704. Minimally invasive tissue fastening device 700can further comprise an extended body portion 706 allowing the insertionportion 704 to be inserted through a body wall, such as, for example, anabdominal wall 708 such that insertion portion 704 can fasten tissuewithin the abdomen 710. Extended body portion 706 can be adapted fordirect insertion through the abdominal wall 708 or alternatively, anextended body portion 706 can be inserted through a laproscopic port inthe abdominal wall. Biasing portion 702 generally remains outside thebody allowing a user to manipulate insertion portion 704 to capture andsecure tissue in a manner similar to that previously described withrespect to tissue fastening devices 200 and 500. However, tissuefastening device 700 may be used in internal applications wherein thepositioning, joining and anchoring of tissue or organ does not sufferthe disadvantage associated with “button-holing” or piercing theepidermis during skin tissue closure. As such, tissue capture usingminimally invasive tissue fastening device 700 may, in some treatmentapplications, have less criticality with respect to tissue capture withinsertion portion 704.

While various representative embodiments of the present invention havebeen described with respect to fastening of dermal tissue, it will berecognized that the present invention is also applicable to other typesof tissue having membranes walls or layers such as facia, muscle and thelike.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to avariety of representative, presently contemplated embodiments, it willbe understood that numerous insubstantial changes in configuration,arrangement or appearance of the elements of the present invention canbe made without departing from the intended scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the presentinvention be determined by the claims as set forth.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for sequentially capturingadjacent tissue with a fastener comprising: providing a medicalapparatus that includes a falcate penetrator adapted to pierce tissuealong a generally arc-shaped path of travel, the falcate penetratorhaving a maximum cross-section dimension transverse to the path oftravel; providing a discrete fastener adapted to be carried by thefalcate penetrator and having a first capture portion and a secondcapture portion proximate generally opposing ends of the fastener, eachcapture portion of the fastener having a maximum cross-section dimensiontransverse to the path of travel of the falcate penetrator that isgreater than the maximum cross-section dimension of the falcatepenetrator; piercing a first tissue portion with the falcate penetrator,the falcate penetrator operably carrying a first capture portion of thefastener though the first tissue portion wherein the first tissueportion is caused to stretch over the first capture portion of thefastener due to the first capture portion cross-section dimensionexceeding the falcate penetrator cross-section dimension; piercing asecond tissue portion with the falcate penetrator such that the firstcapture portion of the fastener is advanced through the second tissueportion, wherein the second tissue portion is caused to stretch over thefirst capture portion of the fastener due to the first capture portioncross-section dimension exceeding the falcate penetrator cross-sectiondimension, while a second capture portion of the fastener operablyengages the first tissue portion; and removing the falcate penetratorfrom the first tissue portion and the second tissue portion withoutcausing the fastener to be withdrawn such that the fastener retainablycaptures the first tissue portion and the second tissue portion with thefirst portion of the fastener operably engaging the second tissueportion and the second portion of the fastener operably engaging thefirst tissue portion.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofremoving the falcate penetrator is accomplished by withdrawing thefalcate penetrator back along the path of travel.